Please help....Male or Female Silkie?

[Alexandra33]

Well at least you guys all agree he is a boy...better that than destroy his confidence over his feminine ways

That's one way to look at it!

Hope you're able to get things sorted out.

~Alex

 

[lena_]

Unfortunately it does look that Cookie is a boy. There are a few things you can do now.
-Get a no-crow collar for him, this will restrict his airflow in such a way that he will be unable to crow, this does come with risks though

-Invest in soundproofing the part of the coop that your birds roost in, and then only let them out when the neighbours will all be awake and won't mind a crowing bird so much

It is unlikely that your neighbours will mind too much, and they won't want to upset a child.
I wish you the best, and keep us updated.

 

[Mymonkeymoos]

That's one way to look at it!

Hope you're able to get things sorted out.

~Alex

Well if there was any doubt - this morning, as if to show he was a "Man" the moment we let the chickens out, he showed us he was all boy!

He actually seemed VERY proud of himself...strutting around. Made us laugh! So we plan on letting them out when there is a queue of traffic on the road so no-one hears him

So another question I have is......will be be ok for Cookie to live in the eglu cube with the ladies? We have a buff sussex, speckled sussex, rhode island red and a barnevelder aka Amber, Solo (as in Hen Solo - Hubby's) Scarlett and Marmalade?

Also as he is on the eglu, and I am guessing its dark, will he only crow once he is let out?

Sorry, these are our first pet chickens so now we are in unchartered and unplanned territory!

 

[drumstick diva]

Cookie is a Cockerel. Sounds like a lot of chickens to fit into an Eglu

 

[Mymonkeymoos]

Cookie is a Cockerel. Sounds like a lot of chickens to fit into an Eglu

Holds 10 it says on the website, but Cookie doesn't count as a full size and they all snuggle up together so could probably fit 20 in! I worry they will get cold if its half empty, but they seem very happy

 

[ShanasCastle]

I have just chatted to the breeder, and it struck me that my little one will know instantly as they have such a lovely bond, he is always carrying Cookie or feeding him/her, chatting etc....they are such buddies

If I could swap and he not know, I would in a heart beat, and try and explain the new playmate would be tricky though!

Agree. I was never for fibbing to my boys either. I used everything as a teaching moment (within their age group). My boys had physical disabilities so they were use to those talks. Sorry that your guy has to learn this lesson. Life lessons...so painful.

 

[Alexandra33]

Well if there was any doubt - this morning, as if to show he was a "Man" the moment we let the chickens out, he showed us he was all boy!

He actually seemed VERY proud of himself...strutting around. Made us laugh! So we plan on letting them out when there is a queue of traffic on the road so no-one hears him

So another question I have is......will be be ok for Cookie to live in the eglu cube with the ladies? We have a buff sussex, speckled sussex, rhode island red and a barnevelder aka Amber, Solo (as in Hen Solo - Hubby's) Scarlett and Marmalade?

Also as he is on the eglu, and I am guessing its dark, will he only crow once he is let out?

Sorry, these are our first pet chickens so now we are in unchartered and unplanned territory!

Aren't you thankful for confirmation? Cookie sounds as though he's a true character.

As long as there's enough room for him, and nobody's getting picked on excessively, the current situation should be just fine as it is.

Roosters have no standards....they will crow no matter where they are. It's not even a priority for them to be able to see. Mine "sing" up a storm in the middle of the night, when the mood strikes them. Be prepared for a little noise after dark, and if he keeps his cute beak shut, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

~Alex

 

[Mymonkeymoos]

Thank you so much for all of your advice and support. So far he is an absolute dream...its almost as though he is strutting now the secret is out!

He crows when we first let him out in the morning, and he isnt that bothered during the day - although this could change

So I have another question now....it dawned on me that at 19 weeks, they have been on growers pellets for just over a week....does Cookie need a different food and if so, how do I stop the ladies eating it?

 

[Alexandra33]

Thank you so much for all of your advice and support. So far he is an absolute dream...its almost as though he is strutting now the secret is out!

He crows when we first let him out in the morning, and he isnt that bothered during the day - although this could change

So I have another question now....it dawned on me that at 19 weeks, they have been on growers pellets for just over a week....does Cookie need a different food and if so, how do I stop the ladies eating it?

Grower is just fine for roosters. They can eat anything the hens do, including layer feed.

~Alex

 

[A.M. Eggs]

There is a device on the web that is said to mute a roosters crow, but I think it might be cruel. And hens are just as nosy as roosters. I hate when they are discriminated against.
Its like a dog barking just not as persistent. Sorry about your sons chicken.